A game of Rugby League might not be expected to attract widespread political and social commentary. But the decision by the Manly Sea Eagles club of Sydney to acknowledge gay pride has stirred up a hornets’ nest.
Club management arranged for the production of rainbow jerseys to be worn for one round of the National Rugby League competition. This triggered the withdrawal of seven of its top players, who mostly hail from Pacific Island minority Christian communities. When the club selected replacement players, there were further withdrawals.
Manly club officials scrambled to deal with the crisis in the club’s public image. Coach Des Hasler, while stating support for the gay pride recognition initiative, acknowledged the right of players to express their opinions and offered the club’s apologies for lack of consultation with players prior to the decision.
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